The Paris Opera Awaiting Ahead: A Story of Musical Defiance Against War

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, music has always been a powerful force that brings people together. This is particularly evident in the story of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, founded by conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson as a musical statement of defiance against Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

The orchestra was formed just three weeks after the assault began in February, when Wilson, who traces her own Ukrainian ancestry to great-grandparents on her mother's side, recalled being in Europe and feeling compelled to do something. She quickly assembled a group of 75 Ukrainian musicians, including recent refugees, members of European orchestras, and others still living in their embattled country.

With the help of Peter Gelb, Wilson's husband and general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, they arranged funding and tour dates for the new orchestra. The result was a 12-city tour that took the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra to cities across Europe and North America.

The journey was not easy, however. Many of the musicians had been separated from their families and were struggling to find homes and jobs in new countries. Some hadn't played music in months, and Wilson described the group as 'a select group, but really quite raw.'

Despite these challenges, the orchestra's performances were met with critical acclaim and emotional resonance. The tour was a testament to the power of music to bring people together and transcend borders.

For Keri-Lynn Wilson, the experience was a personal one. As she stood on stage, conducting her new orchestra, she felt a sense of purpose and pride in being part of something bigger than herself. 'I was just constantly crying and saying we have to do something,' she recalled, 'and that's when the tour was born.'

The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra may be disbanded now, but its legacy lives on as a symbol of defiance against war and oppression. As long as music is alive, so too will the spirit of resistance and hope that defines this remarkable ensemble.

The paris opera awaiting ahead